Whitemoor Haye and Croxall

A visit to Stuart (AKA Alrewas Birder) yesterday morning at his local patches Whitemoor Haye and Croxall GP in Staffordshire.

The hedgerows at Whitemoor Haye were brimming with Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings and Reed Buntings as well as finches. There were large flocks of Wood Pigeons passing over numbering 100's plus a couple of Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and a few Buzzards knocking around.

There was unfortunately some shooting going on in the area which was frightening Stuart's dog Jess and probably accounted for the lack of Swans in the 'microlight' field. Of late there has been a flock of over 100 Swans present, including a small number of Bewick's and Whoopers, but just 7 immature Mute Swans were present yesterday.

At the quarry pool there were several Goldeneye, the males vying for female attention with their amusing courtship display. Also many Lapwing, Wigeon, and a few Redshank plus a Goosander through. Other birds noted around the area included Skylark and 3 Cormorant over.

Next, a brief look around nearby Croxall GP. Highlights 2 Bullfinch, a Treecreeper, a few Redshank and Snipe, Goldeneye, Wigeon, Teal, and a good number of Pochard including a very light coloured one (which Stuart said had been wintering the last few years). There were 5 Goosander and a few Shelduck on the pit at the back of the reserve.

Many thanks Stuart for the tour and a most enjoyable morning, we'll be back soon!